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Portland Mardi Gras: A Northwestern Take on a Louisiana Tradition

Portland is a destination that presents travelers with a variety of natural surroundings, cultural offerings, and attractions for all ages. The City of Roses has something for everyone from its top tier culinary community to its exceptional craft brewing scene.  

 

Portland Mardi Gras takes place in two phases. It kicks off in mid-February with the Mardi Gras Ball at the Tiffany Center Emerald Ballroom that attracts nearly 800 people in its seventh year. This is a Louisiana-inspired Mardi Gras celebration complete with costumes, live entertainment, dancing, and more. The Portland Mardi Parade takes place at the end of February on Fat Tuesday. Participants and spectators begin to gather at Victoria Bar on Mississippi Avenue early in the evening. The parade then goes south on Mississippi Avenue until it reaches Ecliptic Brewing. Audiences will see costumed participants while listening to live music from three different bands. The celebration doesn't stop at the completion of the parade. Multiple restaurants and bars along Mississippi Avenue will be hosting special Mardi Gras-themed events as well. We got the chance to interview Queen Nimbus the Sixth, Laura Lawrence, to talk about this unique take on Mardi Gras.

 

RAL: Tell me about the event.

LL: Portland's Mardi Gras Ball is in its seventh year. It's grown from approximately 300 attendees to about 800. It’s mostly couples in attendance, as well as singles from Meetup groups, and the local costume guild, and Zydeco club. It's a 21+ event.

 

RAL: What makes the event unique?

LL: The ball was created due to a lack of Mardi Gras events in Portland. A handful of folks from Louisiana (or with Louisiana connections) started the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus to coordinate the ball in 2011. Because many members of the Krewe grew up with real Mardi Gras traditions, we are able to make the event as authentic as possible.

 

RAL: Walk me through the festivities.

LL: The ball itself changes a bit every year. The Krewe votes on a theme that is kept secret until January 6th - Twelfth Night - the traditional start of Carnival season. The event itself starts off a little spooky and mysterious with the Skull and Bones gang and moves on to a dance party. We'll offer a light taste of Louisiana cuisine throughout the evening, King Cake, and a full bar. Musical guests vary each year. Last year the ball featured the Bloco Algeria Samba Band and a musical review tribute to Allen Toussaint with different artists singing their favorite Toussaint songs.

 

RAL: What can attendees expect to find for local lodging options.

LL: The ball will be held in downtown Portland this year, a few blocks away from the Max light rail stop. There are countless hotels and dining options located nearby. The closest option is Hotel Deluxe which is just a block away from the Tiffany Center.

 

RAL: What does the event mean to the community?

LL: The Mysti Krewe of Nimbus also organizes a free, family-friendly Mardi Gras Day Parade on Mississippi Avenue, now in its fifth year. The parade has grown from a Krewe-only event to over 1,500 participants. It helps drive people to shops and restaurants during a slow time of year.

 

RAL: Does the event support any special causes?

LL: New this year, we'll be taking donations to support wetlands conservation in both Oregon and Louisiana. Donations will respectively go to The Wetlands Conservancy in Oregon and the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program in Louisiana.


For more information about the Portland Mardi Gras, please visit their website.